Methods and Kits for Measuring Von Willebrand Factor

ABSTRACT

Methods and kits for measuring levels of von Willebrand factor function in a sample without using a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin, comprising recombinant glycoprotein Ibα having at least two of a G233V, D235Y and M239V mutations and an agent to detect a complex between the recombinant glycoprotein Ibα and von Willebrand factor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/197,057, filed Aug. 22, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/957,604, filed Aug. 23, 2007, incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with United States government support under grant numbers RO1-HL033721-19 and RO1-HL081588-03, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The United States government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to methods and kits for measuring von Willebrand factor (VWF), and more particularly to methods and kits for measuring VWF that do not require a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin.

VWF is a multimeric glycoprotein synthesized by megakaryocytes and endothelial cells, which is subsequently secreted into blood plasma as a spectrum of multimers. VWF binds other proteins, especially proteins involved in hemostasis, such as Factor VIII (an essential clotting factor that participates in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation) and platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb; a component of a platelet adhesion receptor complex). VWF is deficient or defective in von Willebrand disease (VWD) and is involved in a large number of other diseases, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Heyde's syndrome and possibly hemolytic-uremic syndrome. See, Sadler J, “Biochemistry and genetics of von Willebrand factor”. Annu Rev. Biochem. 67:395-424 (1998). VWF levels can be affected by many factors including ABO blood group and ethnicity.

VWD is a common bleeding disorder characterized by either qualitative or quantitative defects in tests for VWF. Symptoms of VWD include easy bruising, menorrhagia and epistaxis. Currently, many types of hereditary VWD are known (e.g., type 1; type 2A, 2B, 2M, 2N and type 3, as well as platelet-type, pseudo VWD, which results from a defect in platelet GPIb); however, acquired forms of VWD are also known, but are less frequently observed. Of particular interest herein is platelet-type, pseudo VWD. In contrast to the other forms of VWD, the genetic defect in platelet-type, pseudo VWD is in platelets rather than VWF and is characterized by abnormally high binding affinity of an individual's platelets to VWF, leading to a characteristic platelet hyper-responsiveness in vitro to a low concentration of ristocetin.

Additional screening tests for VWD include those that measure Factor VIII activity, VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF binding to collagen (VWF:CB) and VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo). Of particular interest herein is VWF:RCo, which is presently the standard for measurement of VWF function. VWF:RCo utilizes an ability of VWF to bind platelet GPIb following activation by ristocetin, which results in a VWF-dependent agglutination of platelets that can be measured quantitatively by platelet aggregometry or turbidometry. See, Macfarlane D, et al., “A method for assaying von Willebrand factor (ristocetin cofactor),” Thromb. Diath. Haemorrh. 34:306-308 (1975). In fact, an international reference standard for VWF:RCo was assigned a biologic activity in international units by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Scientific and Standardization Committee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).

Unfortunately, VWF:RCo, has several shortcomings. For one, VWF:RCo has high intra- and inter-assay imprecision because of its dependence on ristocetin. See, e.g., Chng W, et al., “Differential effect of the ABO blood group on von Willebrand factor collagen binding activity and ristocetin cofactor assay,” Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis 16:75-78 (2005); Favaloro E, “An update on the von Willebrand factor collagen binding assay: 21 years of age and beyond adolescence but not yet a mature adult,” Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 33:727-744 (2007); and Riddel A, et al., “Use of the collagen-binding assay for von Willebrand factor in the analysis of type 2M von Willebrand disease: a comparison with the ristocetin cofactor assay,” Br. J. Haematol. 116:187-192 (2002). Federici et at recently described an alternative assay with improved reproducibility that used recombinant GPIb in an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay of VWF binding; however, it is ristocetin dependent. See, Federici A, et al., “A sensitive ristocetin co-factor activity assay with recombinant glycoprotein Ib for diagnosis of patients with low von Willebrand factor levels,” Haematologica 89:77-85 (2004).

In addition, VWF:RCo does not always reflect the true in vivo function of VWF when mutations or polymorphisms are in the ristocetin-binding region of VWF. For example, some individuals have VWF mutations that show a reduced interaction with ristocetin such that VWF:RCo is markedly reduced (e.g., <0.12 IU/dL), although they have no bleeding symptoms even with a major surgical challenge. See, Flood V, et al., “Common VWF haplotypes in normal African-Americans and Caucasians recruited into the ZPMCB-VWD and their impact on VWF laboratory testing,” Blood 10:Abstract 714 (2007); Mackie I, et al., “Ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination in Afro-Caribbean and Caucasian people,” Br. J. Haematol. 50:171-173 (1982); and Miller C, et al., “Measurement of von Willebrand factor activity: relative effects of ABO blood type and race,” J. Thromb. Haemost. 1:2191-2197 (2003). These individuals, who appear to have a polymorphism in the ristocetin-binding region, do not have an abnormality in the binding of VWF to platelet GPIb.

Furthermore, VWF:RCo is affected by high-affinity VWF/platelet disorders. For example, individuals with platelet-type, pseudo VWD have GPIb mutations that cause spontaneous binding of their platelets to VWF. See, Franchini M, et al., “Clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of platelet-type von Willebrand disease,” Int. J. Lab. Hematol. 30:91-94 (2008); Miller J & Castella A, “Platelet-type von Willebrand's disease: characterization of a new bleeding disorder,” Blood 60:790-794 (1982); and Miller J, “Platelet-type von Willebrand's Disease,” Thromb. Haemost. 75:865-869 (1996). Likewise, individuals with type 2B VWD have VWF mutations that cause spontaneous binding to platelets. See, Weiss H, “Type 2B von Willebrand disease and related disorders of patients with increased ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation: what they tell us about the role of von Willebrand factor in hemostasis,” J. Thromb. Haemost. 2:2055-2056 (2004).

Because of the wide variability and reproducibility of VWF:RCo, the art desires a VWF function assay that does not require a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin (i.e., ristocetinless).

BRIEF SUMMARY

The invention relates generally to methods and kits for measuring VWF without requiring a platelet agglutination agonist by utilizing recombinant platelet GPIb gain-of-function mutations. As used herein, a “platelet agglutination agonist” means an agent that facilitates adhesion between VWF and GPIb in platelet agglutination tests. Examples of platelet agglutination agonist include, but are not limited to, ristocetin and botrocetin.

In a first aspect, the present invention is summarized as a method of measuring VWF without requiring a platelet agglutination agonist by providing a surface with immobilized recombinant platelet GPIbα having at least two mutations selected from G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:11 or a functional fragment thereof. The method also includes contacting a sample having or suspected of having VWF with the immobilized GPIbα or functional fragment thereof without using the platelet agglutination agonist. The method also includes detecting a complex, if any, of VWF and the immobilized GPIbα or functional fragment thereof.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the surface can be a cell surface such that the method is a flow cytometry (FC) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) assay. Suitable host cells can be a Xenopus oocyte, CHO-K1 cell, L929 cell, HEK-293T cell, COS-7 cell or S2 cell engineered to comprise a polynucleotide encoding platelet GPIbα having the at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:11 or a functional fragment thereof. The host cell also can be engineered to further comprise a polynucleotide encoding platelet glycoprotein Ibβ (GPIbβ; SEQ ID NO:4) and/or optionally platelet glycoprotein IX (GP-IX; SEQ ID NO:8) or functional fragments thereof.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the surface can be a solid-phase surface such that the method is an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The solid-phase surface can be agarose, glass, latex or plastic.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the complex can be detected with a labeled anti-VWF antibody or functional fragment thereof, such as a fluorescently labeled antibody or fluorescently labeled functional fragment thereof. Alternatively, the complex can be detected by surface plasmon resonance or quasi-elastic light scattering.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the sample can be a biological sample from an individual having or suspected of having VWD, such as plasma.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the at least two mutations can be D235Y/G233V, D235Y/M239V or G233V/M239V. In other embodiments of the first aspect, the at least two mutation can be a triple mutation, such as D235Y/G233V/M239V.

In a second aspect, the present invention is summarized as a kit for measuring VWF that includes recombinant platelet GPIbα having at least two mutations selected from G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:11 or a functional fragment thereof. The kit also includes a reagent to detect a complex of VWF and GPIbα.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the reagent can be a labeled anti-VWF antibody or labeled functional fragment thereof, such as a fluorescently labeled antibody or fluorescently labeled functional fragment thereof.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the kit further includes a negative or positive control or both. If included, the negative control can be VWF-depleted plasma. If included, the positive control can be pooled plasma from individuals that do not have VWD or can be a commercially available standard, such as those available from WHO and ISTH. In other embodiments of the second aspect, the kit further includes an abnormal control. If included, the abnormal control can be pooled plasma from individuals with variant forms of VWD, such as type-2A, 2B or 2M VWD, as well as pooled plasma from individuals with true loss of in vivo VWF function or pooled plasma individuals that are not appropriately assayed using VWF:RCo (i.e., plasma from individuals having any gain-of-function mutation in VWF).

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the at least two mutations can be selected from D235Y/G233V, D235Y/M239V or G233V/M239V. In other embodiments of the second aspect, the at least two mutations can be a triple mutation, such as D235Y/G233V/M239V.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the recombinant platelet GPIbα having at least two mutations selected from G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:11 or functional fragment thereof can be immobilized to a surface. In certain embodiments, the surface can be a host cell surface of a host cell that does not natively express platelet GPIbα, as described above. In certain other embodiments, the surface can be a solid-phase surface, as described above.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from the description that follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration, not limitation, embodiments of the invention. The description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives. Reference should therefore be made to the claims recited herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood and features, aspects and advantages other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such detailed description makes reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the platelet adhesion receptor, which shows the components of the receptor, including GPIbα, GPIbβ, GP-V and GP-IX;

FIGS. 2A-C show the effect GPIbα mutations (single, double or triple; FIG. 2A, y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is log ristocetin concentration in mg/ml), ristocetin (FIG. 2B, y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is log ristocetin concentration in mg/ml) and botrocetin (FIG. 2C, y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is log botrocetin concentration in mg/ml) during FACS. Mock is a HEK-293T cells transfected with an empty expression vector.

FIG. 3 shows an FACS assay with GPIbα having two platelet-type, pseudo VWD mutations using samples from control individuals and with type 3 VWD, which has low to undetectable VWF (y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is platelet poor plasma (PPP) dilutions).

FIG. 4 shows an FACS assay with additional samples from individuals having type 2B VWD, which has gain-of-function VWF mutations (y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is platelet poor plasma (PPP) dilutions).

FIG. 5 shows a FACS assay with additional samples from individuals having type 2M VWD, which has low GPIb binding, and apparent type 2M VWD, which has low VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag, yet normal levels of VWF (y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is platelet poor plasma (PPP) dilutions).

FIG. 6 shows the effect of charge on the solid-phase surface during an ELISA with immobilized GPIbα having two platelet-type, pseudo VWD mutations (y-axis is mean fluorescence and x-axis is ISTH (a standard) concentration in U/dL).

While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention stems from the inventor's observation that some individuals with VWD have VWF mutations that lower VWF:RCo (i.e., <10 IU/dL), even though their in vivo VWF function is normal (i.e., VWF still binds to the platelet adhesion receptor component GPIb). See, Friedman K, et al., “Factitious diagnosis of type 2M von Willebrand disease (VWD) with a mutation in von Willebrand factor (VWF) that affects the ristocetin cofactor assay but does not significantly affect VWF function in vitro,” Blood 98:536a (2001).

In contrast, other individuals with VWD (i.e., type 2B and platelet-type VWD) have VWF or GPIbα mutations that lower the concentration of ristocetin required for platelet aggregation in an assay for VWF function. This paradox results from gain-of-function mutations that cause VWF multimers and the GPIb receptors on platelets to bind more tightly to one another. The inventor hypothesized that recombinant gain-of-function GPIbα mutations could be useful in assays for VWF function, thereby avoiding ristocetin (i.e., ristocetinless). As used herein, “ristocetinless” or “agonistless” means that ristocetin or other platelet agglutination agonists (i.e., botrocetin) are not required in a VWF assay.

The present invention therefore broadly relates to novel methods and kits for VWF utilizing gain-of-function GPIbα mutations, especially GPIbα mutations identified in individuals having platelet-type, pseudo VWD, to measure VWF (herein called “VWF:IbCo”). The methods and kits are useful in a variety of applications. For example, the methods and kits disclosed herein may be used for diagnosing VWD in an individual suspected of having VWD, classifying VWD in an individual diagnosed with VWD and monitoring treatment in an individual having VWD.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described herein.

As used herein, “about” means within 5% of a stated concentration range, purity range, temperature range or stated time frame.

As used herein, a “coding sequence” means a sequence that encodes a particular polypeptide, such as GPIbα, and is a nucleic acid sequence that is transcribed (in the case of DNA) and translated (in the case of mRNA) into that polypeptide in vitro or in vivo when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a start codon at a 5′ (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at a 3′ (carboxy) terminus. A coding sequence can include, but is not limited to, viral nucleic acid sequences, cDNA from prokaryotic or eukaryotic mRNA, genomic DNA sequences from prokaryotic or eukaryotic DNA, and even synthetic DNA sequences. A transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence.

As used herein, an “expression sequence” means a control sequence operably linked to a coding sequence.

As used herein, “control sequences” means promoter sequences, polyadenylation signals, transcription termination sequences, upstream regulatory domains, origins of replication, internal ribosome entry sites (“IRES”), enhancers, and the like, which collectively provide for replication, transcription and translation of a coding sequence in a recipient cell. Not all of these control sequences need always be present so long as the selected coding sequence is capable of being replicated, transcribed and translated in an appropriate host cell.

As used herein, a “promoter” means a nucleotide region comprising a nucleic acid (i.e., DNA) regulatory sequence, wherein the regulatory sequence is derived from a gene that is capable of binding RNA polymerase and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′-direction) coding sequence. Transcription promoters can include “inducible promoters” (where expression of a polynucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter is induced by an analyte, cofactor, regulatory protein, etc.), “repressible promoters” (where expression of a polynucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter is repressed by an analyte, cofactor, regulatory protein, etc.) and “constitutive promoters” (where expression of a polynucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter is unregulated and therefore continuous).

As used herein, a “nucleic acid” sequence means a DNA or RNA sequence. The term encompasses sequences that include, but are not limited to, any of the known base analogues of DNA and RNA such as 4-acetylcytosine, 8-hydroxy-N6-methyladenosine, aziridinylcytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methyladenine, 1-methylpseudouracil, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarbonylmethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, oxybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, -uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine and 2,6-diaminopurine.

As used herein, “operably linked” means that elements of an expression sequence are configured so as to perform their usual function. Thus, control sequences (i.e., promoters) operably linked to a coding sequence are capable of effecting expression of the coding sequence. The control sequences need not be contiguous with the coding sequence, so long as they function to direct the expression thereof. For example, intervening untranslated, yet transcribed, sequences can be present between a promoter and a coding sequence, and the promoter sequence can still be considered “operably linked” to the coding sequence.

As used herein, “operable interaction” means that subunits of a polypeptide (e.g., the components of the platelet adhesion receptor, such as GPIbβ and/or GP-IX), and any other accessory proteins, that are heterologously expressed in a host cell assemble into a functioning platelet adhesion receptor (i.e., capable of binding with VWF or functional fragments thereof capable of binding VWF).

As used herein, a “vector” means a replicon, such as a plasmid, phage or cosmid, to which another nucleic acid segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment. A vector is capable of transferring gene sequences to target cells (e.g., bacterial plasmid vectors, particulate carriers and liposomes).

Typically, the terms “vector construct,” “expression vector,” “gene expression vector,” “gene delivery vector,” “gene transfer vector” and “expression cassette” all refer to an assembly that is capable of directing the expression of a coding sequence or gene of interest. Thus, the terms include cloning and expression vehicles.

As used herein, an “isolated polynucleotide” or “isolated polypeptide” means a polynucleotide or polypeptide isolated from its natural environment or prepared using synthetic methods such as those known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Complete purification is not required in either case. The polynucleotides and polypeptides described herein can be isolated and purified from normally associated material in conventional ways, such that in the purified preparation the polynucleotide or polypeptide is the predominant species in the preparation. At the very least, the degree of purification is such that extraneous material in the preparation does not interfere with use of the polynucleotide or polypeptide in the manner disclosed herein. The polynucleotide or polypeptide is at least about 85% pure; alternatively, at least about 95% pure; and alternatively, at least about 99% pure.

Further, an isolated polynucleotide has a structure that is not identical to that of any naturally occurring nucleic acid molecule or to that of any fragment of a naturally occurring genomic nucleic acid spanning more than one gene. An isolated polynucleotide also includes, without limitation, (a) a nucleic acid having a sequence of a naturally occurring genomic or extrachromosomal nucleic acid molecule, but which is not flanked by the coding sequences that flank the sequence in its natural position; (b) a nucleic acid incorporated into a vector or into a prokaryote or eukaryote host cell's genome such that the resulting polynucleotide is not identical to any naturally occurring vector or genomic DNA; (c) a separate molecule such as a cDNA, a genomic fragment, a fragment produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or a restriction fragment; and (d) a recombinant nucleotide sequence that is part of a hybrid gene (i.e., a gene encoding a fusion protein). Specifically excluded from this definition are nucleic acids present in mixtures of clones, e.g., as these occur in a DNA library such as a cDNA or genomic DNA library. An isolated polynucleotide can be modified or unmodified DNA or RNA, whether fully or partially single-stranded or double-stranded or even triple-stranded. In addition, an isolated polynucleotide can be chemically or enzymatically modified and can include so-called non-standard bases such as inosine.

As used herein, “homologous” means those polynucleotides or polypeptides sharing at least about 90% or at least about 95% sequence identity to, e.g., SEQ ID NOS:1-6 and 11, respectively, that result in functional polypeptides that bind VWF. For example, a polypeptide that is at least about 90% or at least about 95% identical to the GPIbα mutations discussed herein is expected to be a constituent of the platelet adhesion receptor. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that modifications to either the polynucleotide or the polypeptide includes substitutions, insertions (e.g., adding no more than about ten nucleotides or amino acids) and deletions (e.g., deleting no more than about ten nucleotides or amino acids). These modifications can be introduced into the polynucleotide or polypeptide described below without abolishing structure and ultimately, function. Polynucleotides and/or polypeptides containing such modifications can be used in the methods of the present invention. Such polypeptides can be identified by using the screening methods described below.

An isolated nucleic acid containing a polynucleotide (or its complement) that can hybridize to any of the uninterrupted nucleic acid sequences described above, under either stringent or moderately stringent hybridization conditions, is also within the scope of the present invention. Stringent hybridization conditions are defined as hybridizing at 68° C. in 5×SSC/5× Denhardt's solution/1.0% SDS, and washing in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS+/−100 μg/ml denatured salmon sperm DNA at room temperature, and moderately stringent hybridization conditions are defined as washing in the same buffer at 42° C. Additional guidance regarding such conditions is readily available in the art, e.g., in Sambrook J, et al. (eds.), “Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual,” (3rd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. 2001); and Ausubel F, et al. (eds.), “Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,” (John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. 1995), each of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

It is well known in the art that amino acids within the same conservative group can typically substitute for one another without substantially affecting the function of a protein. For the purpose of the present invention, such conservative groups are set forth in Table 1 and are based on shared properties.

TABLE 1 Amino Acid Conservative Substitutions. Original Residue Conservative Substitution Ala (A) Val, Leu, Ile Arg (R) Lys, Gln, Asn Asn (N) Gln, His, Lys, Arg Asp (D) Glu Cys (C) Ser Gln (Q) Asn Glu (E) Asp His (H) Asn, Gln, Lys, Arg Ile (I) Leu, Val, Met, Ala, Phe Leu (L) Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe Lys (K) Arg, Gln, Asn Met (M) Leu, Phe, Ile Phe (F) Leu, Val, Ile, Ala Pro (P) Gly Ser (S) Thr Thr (T) Ser Trp (W) Tyr, Phe Tyr (Y) Trp, Phe, Thr, Ser Val (V) Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Ala

As used herein, an “antibody” means a monoclonal and polyclonal antibody and can belong to any antibody class (i.e., IgG, IgM, IgA, etc.). One of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with methods for making monoclonal antibodies (Mab). For example, one of ordinary skill in the art can make monoclonal antibodies by isolating lymphocytes and fusing them with myeloma cells, thereby producing hybridomas. See, e.g., Milstein C, “Handbook of experimental immunology,” (Blackwell Scientific Pub., 1986); and Goding J, “Monoclonal antibodies: principles and practice,” (Academic Press, 1983), each of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. The cloned hybridomas are then screened for production of, e.g., “anti-GPIbα” (i.e., antibodies that bind preferentially to GPIbα or fragments thereof) or “anti-VWF” antibodies (i.e., antibodies that bind preferentially to VWF or fragments thereof). Monoclonal antibodies are thus not limited by the manner in which the antibodies are produced, whether such production is in situ or not. Alternatively, antibodies can be produced by recombinant DNA technology including, but not limited, to expression in bacteria, yeast, insect cell lines or mammalian cell lines.

Likewise, one of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with methods of making polyclonal antibodies. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art can make polyclonal antibodies by immunizing a suitable host animal, e.g., such as a rabbit, with an immunogen and using properly diluted serum or isolating immunoglobulins from the serum. The animal may therefore be inoculated with the immunogen, with blood subsequently being removed from the animal and an IgG fraction purified. Other suitable host animals include a chicken, goat, sheep, guinea pig, rat or mouse. If desired, the immunogen may be administered as a conjugate in which the immunogen is coupled, e.g., via a side chain of one of its amino acid residues, to a suitable carrier. The carrier molecule is typically a physiologically acceptable carrier. The antibody obtained may be purified to a purity of up to about 70%, up to about 80%, up to about 90%, up to about 95%, up to about 99% or up to about 100%.

Antibody also encompasses functional fragments, like Fab and F(ab′) 2, of anti-GPIbα or anti-VWF antibodies. Treatment of antibodies with proteolytic enzymes, such as papain and pepsin, generates these antibody fragments, especially anti-GPIbα fragments.

Antibodies are typically conjugated to a detectable label for easy visualization. Examples of suitable labels for the methods and kits described herein include, but are not limited to, radiolabels, biotin (which may be detected by avidin or streptavidin conjugated to peroxidase), lanthanides, alkaline phosphatase and fluorescent labels (e.g., fluorescein, rhodamine, especially the Alexa Fluor® family of fluorescent dyes available from Invitrogen/Molecular Probes). Labelling of the antibody can be carried out by, e.g. labeling free amine groups (covalently or non-covalently). Some labels can be detected by using a labeled counter suitable for the detection of the label in question.

Commercially available anti-GPIbα antibodies and anti-VWF antibodies are suitable for use with the methods and kits described herein, and can be obtained from Blood Research Institute (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Dako (Carpinteria, Calif.), respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the platelet adhesion receptor is comprised of a combination of four proteins, including GPIb, which is a heterodimer of an alpha chain (GPIbα; GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)000173.4; SEQ ID NOS:1-2, and 11) and a beta chain (GPIbβ; GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)000407.4; SEQ ID NOS:3-4) linked by disulfide bonds. Other components of the receptor include GP-V (GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)004488.2; SEQ ID NOS:5-6) and GP-IX (GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)000174.2; SEQ ID NOS:7-8). The platelet adhesion receptor binds to VWF (GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)000552.3; SEQ ID NOS:9-10) to regulate hemostasis and thrombosis.

Of particular interest herein is human GPIbα modified so that a platelet aggregation agonist is not required in assays of VWF function. For example, GPIbα can be modified to include the gain-of-function mutations that cause platelet-type, pseudo VWD including, but not limited to, G233V (see, Miller J, et al., “Mutation in the gene encoding the alpha chain of platelet glycoprotein Ib in platelet-type von Willebrand disease,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:4761-4765 (1991), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety); D235V (see, Dong J, et al., “Novel gain-of-function mutations of platelet glycoprotein IBa by valine mutagenesis in the Cys209-Cys248 disulfide loop, which interacts with the A1 domain of VWF. Functional analysis under static and dynamic conditions,” J. Biol. Chem. 275:27663-27670 (2000), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety); M239V (see, Russell S & Roth G, “Pseudo-von Willebrand disease: a mutation in the platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha gene associated with a hyperactive surface receptor,” Blood 81:1787-1791(1993), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety); G233S (Matsubara Y, et al., “Identification of a novel point mutation in platelet glycoprotein Ib, Gly to Ser at residue 233, in a Japanese family with platelet-type von Willebrand disease,” J. Thromb. Haemost. 1:2198-2205 (2003)); and K237V (see, Dong et al., supra). Advantageously, the mutation(s) can be in the Cys²⁰⁹- Cys²⁴⁸ disulfide loop of GPIbα that compromise hemostasis by increasing the affinity of GPIb for VWF. For example, and as shown below, the inventor found that D235Y is another gain-of-function mutation suitable for use with the methods and kits described herein.

As used herein, a “functional fragment” means a fragment of a component of a platelet adhesion receptor, such as a fragment of GPIbα, having at least two of the previously mentioned mutation, yet retaining its ability to interact with VWF or other substrates. For example, the amino terminus of GPIbα retains its ability to interact with VWF. As shown below, fragments of GPIbα as small as 290 amino acids and having two mutations retained an ability to interact with VWF, although smaller fragments are contemplated. With respect to VWF, a functional fragment may comprise at least the Al domain, which is the GPIb binding domain. With respect to antibodies, functional fragments are those portions of an antibody that bind to a particular epitope, such as the domains indicated above.

As used herein, a “sample” means a biological sample, such as amniotic fluid, aqueous humor, cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid, lymph, plasma, pleural fluid, saliva, serum, sputum, synovial fluid, sweat, tears, urine, breast milk or tissue that has or is suspected of having VWF. With respect to measuring VWF, plasma is a suitable sample.

As used herein, a “surface” means, e.g., a cell surface or solid-phase surface, such as an unsoluble polymer material, which can be an organic polymer, such as polyamide or a vinyl polymer (e.g., poly (meth) acrylate, polystyrene and polyvinyl alcohol or derivates thereof), a natural polymer, such as cellulose, dextrane, agarose, chitin and polyamino acids, or an inorganic polymer, such as glass or plastic. The solid-phase surface can be in the form of a bead, microcarrier, particle, membrane, strip, paper, film, pearl or plate, particularly a microtiter plate.

One aspect of the present invention includes a diagnostic assay for measuring VWF. The underlying methodology of the assay can be FC, FACS or ELISA, each of which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. See, e.g., Alice Giva, “Flow cytometry: first principles,” (2nd ed. Wiley-Liss, N.Y., 2001); Howard Shapiro, “Practical flow cytometry,” (4th Ed. Wiley-Liss, N.Y., 2003); Larry Sklar, “Flow cytometry for biotechnology,” (Oxford University Press, New York, 2005); J. Paul Robinson, et al., “Handbook of flow cytometry,” (Wiley-Liss, N.Y., 1993); “Flow cytometry in clinical diagnosis,” (3rd ed., Carey, McCoy and Keren, eds., ASCP Press 2001); Lequin R, “Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),” Clin. Chem. 51:2415-2418 (2005); Wide L & Porath J, “Radioimmunoassay of proteins with the use of Sephadex-coupled antibodies,” Biochem. Biophys. Acta. 30:257-260 (1966); Engvall E & Perlman P, “Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative assay of immunoglobulin G,” Immunochemistry 8:871-874 (1971); and Van Weemen B & Schuurs A, “Immunoassay using antigen-enzyme conjugates,” FEBS Letters 15:232-236 (1971), each of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

As noted above, the surface for the methods and kits described herein can be a host cell surface expressing at least platelet GPIbα for use in FACS. For example, one can heterologously express (either transiently or stably) mutant GPIbα or other components of platelet adhesion receptor (i.e., GPIbβ and/or GP-IX) in host cells. Methods of expressing polynucleotides and their encoded platelet glycoprotein receptor polypeptides in heterologous host cells are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. See, e.g., Tait A, et al., “Phenotype changes resulting in high-affinity binding of von Willebrand factor to recombinant glycoprotein Ib-IX: analysis of the platelet-type von Willebrand disease mutations,” Blood 98:1812-1818 (2001), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety; and Dong et al., supra.

Cells suitable for use herein preferably do not natively display GPIbα or the other components of the platelet adhesion receptor complex. One such cell type is HEK-293T cells (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC); Manassas, Va.; Catalog No. CRL-11268). See also, Graham F, et al., “Characteristics of a human cell line transformed by DNA from human adenovirus type 5,” J. Gen. Virol. 36:59-74 (1977), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. HEK-293 cells are easy to reproduce and to maintain, are amenable to transfection using a wide variety of methods, have a high efficiency of transfection and protein production, have faithful translation and processing of proteins and have a small cell size with minimal processes appropriate for electrophysiological experiments.

Another suitable cell type is COS-7 cells (ATCC; Catalog No. CRL-1651). See also, Gluzman Y, “SV40-transformed simian cells support the replication of early SV40 mutants,” Cell 23:175-182 (1981), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. Like HEK-293 cells, COS-7 cells are easy to reproduce and maintain and are amenable to transfection using a wide variety of methods.

Yet another suitable cell type is Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes are commonly used for heterologous gene expression because of their large size (˜1.0 mm), which makes their handling and manipulation easy. Xenopus oocytes are readily amenable to injection, and thus express functional proteins when injected with cRNA for an desired protein.

Yet another suitable cell type is S2 Drosophila melanogaster cells. S2 cells are ideal for difficult-to-express proteins, and a S2 expression system is commercially available from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.). The S2 expression system can be engineered to preferably lack the Bip secretion sequence so that the encoded proteins are expressed on the cell surface. Expression of platelet adhesion receptor components in S2 cells was previously shown by Celikel et al. See, Celikel R, et al., “Modulation of alpha-thrombin function by distinct interactions with platelet glycoprotein Ibα,” Science 301:218-221 (2003), incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

Any of the contemplated polynucleotides for the platelet adhesion receptor can be cloned into an expression vector (or plurality of expression vectors) engineered to support expression from the polynucleotides. Suitable expression vectors comprise a transcriptional promoter active in a recipient host cell upstream of, e.g., a GPIbα polynucleotide engineered to have the previously mentioned mutations or additional polynucleotides and can optionally comprise a polyA-addition sequence downstream of the polynucleotide.

The vector(s) can be introduced (or co-introduced) by, for example, transfection or lipofection, into recipient host cells competent to receive and express mutant GPIbα and optionally other components of the platelet adhesion receptor. A commercially available lipofection kit, such as a kit available from Mims Corporation (Madison, Wis.) can be employed. Preferably, the recipient host cells do not natively contain GPIbα, so that the presence of it is completely attributable to expression from the introduced expression vector. Suitable recipient host cells are described above and can express the polypeptides on their surface or secrete them.

Alternatively, the surface for the methods and kits described herein can be a solid-phase surface having platelet GPIbα immobilized thereupon by, e.g., covalent attachment or antibodies. Suitable solid-phase surfaces include the solid-phase surfaces described above. One of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with methods for attaching anti-GPIbα antibodies or functional fragments thereof to solid-phase surfaces. For example, the antibody or functional fragment thereof can be immobilized on the surface directly by covalent coupling or via a carrier such as a linker molecule or an antibody immobilized on the solid-phase surface. The antibody can be a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody, such as anti-GPIbα or a functional fragment thereof. Alternatively, the antibody can be an anti-epitope antibody that recognizes an epitope-tag (e.g., biotin, digoxigenin, GST, hexahistidine, hemagglutinin, FLAG™, c-Myc, VSV-G, V5 and HSV) complexed with GPIbα. Commercially available epitope tags and their respective antibodies are suitable for use with the methods and kits described herein, and can be obtained from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.) and Abcam, Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.).

The methods and kits described herein are thus sensitive to the measurement of the more functional, large VWF multimers, correlates with VWF:Ag in individuals with reduced VWF function, and remains unaffected by mutations that affect VWF binding of ristocetin but do not have a bleeding phenotype.

The invention will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Cells Heterologously Expressing Mutant GPIbα Spontaneous Binding in the Absence Ristocetin.

Methods: A heterologous platelet adhesion receptor expression system was constructed by transiently transfecting HEK-293T cells (ATCC) with a full-length GPIbα construct encoding a single mutation (i.e., G233V, D235Y or M239V), a double mutation (i.e., G233V/M239V, G233V/D235Y or D235Y/M239V) a triple mutation (i.e., G233V/D235Y/M239V) relative to SEQ ID NO:11 or wild-type GPIbα (SEQ ID NO: 11). Some HEK-293T cells also were transiently transfected with GPIbβ and GP-IX constructs encoding SEQ ID NOS:4 and 8, respectively. A mock group of HEK-293T cells were treated similarly, but were transfected with an expression vector lacking the above constructs, thereby serving as controls.

The constructs were cloned in to a pCI-neo vector (Promega; Madison, Wis.) and expressed in HEK-293T cells as described below. In some instances, separate constructs were made for each GPIbα mutation; however, in other instances, a single construct was made having multiple GPIbα mutations.

Briefly, HEK-293T cells were first seeded until they were 50-80% confluent (i.e., 3.5 - 4×10⁶/100 mm dish). Typically, the cells were seeded the day before transfection.

For transfection, Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and OptiMEM (Invitrogen) were warmed to 37° C. 800 μl of OptiMEM was added to 17×100 polystyrene tubes (2 tubes/plate to be transfected). The following was added to one set of tubes: 4.5 μg of DNA (1.5 μg of each construct) and 20 μl PLUS Reagent (Invitrogen). The following was added to another set of tubes: 30 μl Lipofectamine (Invitrogen). Each set was allowed to incubate at room temperature for 15 minutes. The DNA mixture was then added to the Lipofectamine mixture and incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes. During incubation, the cells were washed twice with 5 ml HBSS. 3.4 ml of OptiMEM was added to the DNA/Lipofectamine mixture, and then added to the HEK-293T cells (total volume=5 ml). The cells were then incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ for 3-3.5 hours.

Following transfection, the transfection medium was removed and 8 ml of fresh complete medium was added to the cells. The cells were then incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ for about 60 hours. Cells were then harvested for use in a standard FACS assay using ristocetin.

For FACS, about 50 μl of a 1:10 dilution of platelet poor plasma (PPP; source of VWF) in assay buffer was added to the plate and serially diluted 1:2 to final dilution of 1:80. ISTH Lot #3 (GTI; Milwaukee, Wis.) was used as a standard and diluted 1:10 in assay buffer and serially diluted 1:2 to a final dilution of 1:320. The plate was then incubated for one hour at room temperature. After the one-hour incubation, the plate was centrifuged again at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes and the supernatant was discarded.

In some experiments, the PPP was diluted in PBS containing 1% BSA and either 1 mg/ml Ristocetin A (American Biochemical & Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.; Marlton, N.J.) or 1 mg/ml Botrocetin (Sigma Aldrich).

Fluorescently labeled antibodies (anti-GPIbα; Blood Research Institute) were diluted to a final concentration of 5 μg/ml in assay buffer. Fluorescently labeled anti-VWF polyclonal was also was diluted to a final concentration of 5 μg/ml in assay buffer and added to transfected cells incubated in PPP. Normal rabbit IgG (NRIgG; Pierce) and AP-1 were added at a concentration of 5 μg/ml to transfected cells as negative and positive controls, respectively. The plate was then incubated in the dark for one hour at room temperature. Assay buffer was added to each well to bring the final volume to 150 μl, and FACS was performed using a BD LSRII System (Becton Dickinson). Results are shown in VWF:IbCo units.

Results: As shown in FIG. 2A, mock transfected HEK-293T cells did not show any binding in the presence of ristocetin, while cells expressing wild-type GPIbα showed a concentration-dependent decrease in ristocetin binding after 1.2 mg/ml. HEK-293T cells expressing only one of the GPIbα mutations showed increased sensitivity even at low concentrations of ristocetin, which suggests that the binding is independent of ristocetin. Cells expressing two GPIbα mutations showed an extreme sensitivity to ristocetin or alternatively, an increased spontaneous binding that was independent of ristocetin. HEK-293T cells expressing the triple GPIbα mutation (i.e., G233V/D235Y/M239V), however, did not show increased sensitivity/spontaneous binding relative to the double mutants. As shown in FIG. 2B, each of the double mutants (i.e., G233V/M239V, G233V/D235Y or D235Y/M239V) showed comparable spontaneous binding relative to one another that was not significantly affected by ristocetin (i.e., ristocetinless). As expected the, wild-type control showed concentration-dependent increases in VWF:IbCo to ristocetin. As shown in FIG. 2C, VWF:IbCo is not affected by the type of platelet aggregation agonist, as none of the double mutants was significantly affected by botrocetin (i.e., botrocetinless). As expected, wild-type control showed concentration-dependent increases in VWF:IbCo to botrocetin.

Example 2 VWF Function in Patient Samples Using Mutant GPIbα in FACS.

Methods: HEK293T cells were transiently transfected with a wild-type GPIbα construct or GPIbα encoding one of the double mutants, as described above. The cells were additionally transfected with the GPIbβ and GP-IX constructs. A group of HEK-293T cells were mock transfected, as describe above.

After forty-eight hours, the transfected cells were lifted from the plate with 3 mM EDTA, resuspended in assay buffer (i.e., 1× PBS containing 2% BSA) and counted. Trypsin was not used, as it potentially can cleave GPIbα from the cell surface. After counting, 1.75×10⁵ cells were plated 96-well plate (Becton Dickinson; Franklin Lakes, N.J.) as a way of standardizing GPIbα on the plate surface, and the plate was then centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes to pellet the cells. The supernatant was discarded.

HEK-293T cells expressing the GPIbα mutations were used in flow cytometry assays to test VWF binding, which was measured with a fluorescently labeled anti-VWF polyclonal antibody from Dako. A normal curve was developed using serial dilutions of reference plasma previously standardized against both the ISTH and WHO VWF standards based on the VWF:Ag international standard that is also standardized for VWF:RCo.

In one set of experiments, normal patient samples were used to determine whether the HEK-293T cells required all components of the platelet adhesion receptor or simply GPIbα. Normal patient samples were used. In another set of experiments, patient samples from normal individuals and individuals having VWD were used in the FACS assay as described above in Example 2.

Samples included 41 normals, 16 type-2M VWD, 5 type-2B VWD and 5 type-2A VWD plasma, Included therein were individuals with apparent type-2M VWD, but without clinical symptoms, and African Americans with a reduced VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag (RCo/Ag) ratio. Of the 16 type-2M VWD samples, 7 had markedly reduced VWF:IbCo (consistent with the VWF:RCo assay), and 9 had normal VWF:IbCo. African Americans with SNPs associated with reduced RCo/Ag ratios had VWF:IbCo assays that correlated with their VWF:Ag in contrast to the abnormal RCo/Ag ratios identified by standard assays. Type-2A individuals exhibited reduced VWF:IbCo assays and multimer size seemed to correlate with VWF:IbCo activity. Thus, measurement of VWF function using the VWF:IbCo assay more directly correlates with VWF function and avoids some of the pitfalls and functional variability of VWF:RCo assays.

Results: As shown in Table 2, GPIbβ and GP-IX are not required for surface expression of the mutant GPIbα, as FACS results from HEK-293T cells expressing multiple components of the plate adhesion receptor were not significantly different from cells expressing only GPIbα.

TABLE 2 Effect of GPIbα Having a Double Mutation With or Without the Other Platelet Adhesion Receptor Components in a FACS. GPIbα % Diff. btw (G233V/ GPIbα, Known M239V), GPIbβ and % Diff. btw VWF: RCo GPIbβ and % Diff btw IX & GPIbα & Sample (IU/dL) IX GPIbα Transfections Known Known ISTH 2 71 70.4 70.3 0.1 0.4 0.5 ISTH 3 86 86.9 91.4 2.5 0.5 3.0 CCNRP 82 to 103 89.0 74.6 8.8 4.1 4.7 Cntrl 3 65 64.4 52.1 10.5 0.5 11.0 Cntrl 4 24.6 26.7 22.7 8.0 4.0 4.1 JS 0 0 0 0 0 0 XX-01 200 136.4 119.5 6.6 18.9 25.2 ISTH = reference sample

As shown below in Table 3, the FACS assay resulted in VWF measurements comparable to a method used in clinical laboratories. Samples were normal individuals and individuals having VWD. Table 4 is similar to Table 3, except that the samples were from normal individuals and individuals having Type 2 VWD . Table 5 is also similar to Table 3, except that the samples were from individuals having Type 2M VWD.

TABLE 3 Summary of VWF:IbCo by FACS in Plasma Samples from African Americans and Caucasians with and without VWF Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).

1 = DT method (a clinical laboratory method) 2 = BRI method (Blood Research Institute method) Shaded area = <0.81

TABLE 4 VWF: IbCo by FACS in Plasma from African Americans and Caucasians With/Without Type 2 VWD and Repeats. VWD VWF Sample Race Phenotype Mutation VWF: Ag VWF: RCo RCo/Ag FACS1 FACS1/Ag FACS2 FACS2/Ag DB AA “2M” 3 AA snps 86 47 0.547 78 0.910 78 0.905 MK0055 AA “2M” P1467S 257 36 0.140 214 0.833 184 0.718 LJ C “2M” 3 AA snps 66 40 0.606 180 2.734 48 0.735 IN0061 2M R1374C 22 11 0.500 4 0.204 10 0.432 RH 2B R1308S 43 37 0.860 67 1.558 67 1.557 LB 2B V1316M 91 62 0.681 159 1.751 106 1.162 SB 2B V1316M 27 12 0.444 36 1.347 25 0.914 AJ 2B H1268D 21 17 0.810 31 1.484 41 1.959 PB0068 2B R1306W 23 13 0.565 — — 25 1.065 YG 2A L1503P 26 13 0.500 — — 19 0.714 AV 2A G1579R 46 16 0.348 — — 1 0.028 AT0021 2A M7401? 31 12 0.387 — — 18 0.574 AT0032 2A I1628T 120 32 0.267 — — 103 0.586 IA0001 2A R1597W 33 <10 — — — 8 0.247 AT0017 AA NL 3 AA snps 225 95 0.422 144 0.641 156 0.695 XX0027 AA NL 3 AA snps 195 130 0.677 147 0.753 116 0.595 XX0004 C NL — 96 109 1.135 128 1.334 114 1.183 XX0013 C NL — 124 169 1.363 186 1.503 105 0.843 PB0014 AA NL — 234 211 0.902 197 0.843 213 0.909 AT0042 AA NL — 86 69 0.802 64 0.739 91 1.056 AA = African American C = Caucasian NL = normal “2M” = apparent type 2M

TABLE 5 VWF Function in Plasma from African Americans and Caucasians With/Without Type 2 M VWD. VWD VWF Sample Race Phenotype Mutation VWF: Ag 1 VWF: RCo 1 RCo/Ag 1 FACS2 FACS2/Ag TB C “2M” — 127 87 0.69 87 0.69 DB AA “2M” 3 AA snps 86 47 0.55 78 0.91 AC C 2M G13242S 95 13 0.14 <1.1 — BF — 2M I1416T (new) 89 31 0.35 36 0.41 MG H 2M I1425F 45 16 0.36 >1.1 — LG C 2M E1359K 67 37 0.55 27 0.41 GI — 2M D1283H (new) 16 4 0.25 <1.1 — KJ C 2M — 12 3 0.25 <1.1 — LJ AA “2M” 3 AA snps 66 40 0.61 180 2.73 BM C 2M I1426T 156 43 0.28 93 0.60 AR — 2M R1374L 48 10 0.21 <1.1 — DR AA “2M” R1342C; 38 12 0.32 37 0.97 I1343V; 1301- 3103 del; and R2185Q MK0038 C 2M R1392-Q1402 47 11 0.23 <1.1 — del IN0061 C 2M R1374C 22 11 0.50 4 0.20 MK0055 AA “2M” P1467S 257 36 0.14 214 0.83 MK0058 AA “2M” P1467S 265 68 0.14 194 0.73 AA = African American C = Caucasian H = Hispanic

Results: As shown in FIG. 4, individuals with normal VWF showed a typical increase in mean fluorescence with lower dilutions of their plasma. As expected, individuals with Type 3 VWD showed change in mean fluorescence because their plasma has low or no VWF.

As shown in FIG. 5, individuals with Type 2B VWD showed a much earlier increase in mean fluorescence when compared to normals, starting at very high dilutions of their plasma (i.e., >1/100). Type 2B VWD is characterized as having gain-of-function mutations. Again, individuals with Type 3 VWD showed no reaction in the assay.

As shown in FIG. 6, individuals with Type 2M VWD showed no increase in mean fluorescence when compared to normals. Type 2M VWD is characterized by defective VWF that does not interact with GPIbα. Individuals with apparent Type 2M (“2M”) showed a much earlier increase in mean fluorescence when compared to normals, starting at very high dilutions of their plasma (i.e., >1/100). Apparent Type 2M is characterized by low VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag, yet normal levels of VWF. Again, individuals with Type 3 VWD showed no reaction in the assay.

Example 3 Mutant GPIbα Function in ELISA

S2 cells (Invitrogen) were stably transfected with a mutant GPIbα construct, a wild-type GPIbα construct and a GP-IX construct. In some experiments, S2 cells were transfected with GPIbα constructs having a C65A mutation and ΔTM290 mutation. The C65A mutation removed a cysteine that could potential allow dimerization of GPIbα; and the ΔTM290 mutation removed the transmembrane region so that the expressed protein was excreted.

Briefly, the constructs were cloned into a pMT/Bip/V5-His:GPIbα C65A,D235Y,M239V ΔTM290 or pMT/Bip/V5-His:GPIbα C65A ΔTM290 secretion vector (Invitrogen). On day 1, S2 cells were counted and seeded into a 35 mm dish or a well of a 6 well plate at 3×10⁶ cells in 3 ml of complete medium (Ex-Cell 420+10% FBS+7 mM L-Glutamine). The cells were allowed to grow 6-8 hours at 28° C. The following was added to one set of tubes: Solution A, which contained 36 μl of 2M CaCl₂, 19 μg of plasmid DNA (purified with Qiagen Maxi Kit; Qiagen; Valencia, Calif.), 1 μg pCoBlast (selection vector) and ddH₂0 up to 300 μl. The following was added to another set of tubes: Solution B, which contained 300 μl of 2× HEPES buffered saline. Solution A was slowly added dropwise to solution B while gently vortexing. The combined solutions then were incubated at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until a fine precipitate formed.

The mixed solution was added dropwise to the plated cells while gently swirling the plate. The cells were then incubated overnight at 28° C. (about 16-24 hours).

The next day, the transfection solution was removed and replaced with 3 ml of fresh complete medium and incubated at 28° C. without CO₂. On day 5, the cells were resuspended cells and transferred to a 15 cc conical tube, centrifuged at 2400 rpm for 2 minutes. The medium was decanted, and the cells were resuspended in 3 ml of stable medium (complete medium+25 μg/ml Blastidin-S) and plated in a new dish or well.

Selection began on week 2. As done on Day 5, the selection medium was replaced every 3-4 days with 3 ml fresh selection medium. Selection and expansion continued through week 3. During this time, the cells were resuspended, transferred to 15 cc conical tubes, and centrifuged at 2400 rpm for 2 minutes. The media as decanted, and the cells were resuspended in 5 ml of selector media and plated in new T25 flask. After 4 days, the cells were expanded from 1 T25 to 2 T25 flasks.

Expansion and freezing stocks began on week 4. Cells were expanded from the T25 flasks to T75 flasks (3×10⁶ cells/ml medium). T75 flasks received 15 ml medium, which was about 45×10⁶ cells. The remaining cells (about 2×10⁷ cells/vial) were frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Induction of the cells in the T75 flasks began on week 5. Cells were resuspended, transferred to a 15 cc conical tube for counting and centrifuged. 45×10⁶ cells were resuspended 15 ml induction medium (stable medium+500 μM CuSO₄) and transferred to T75 flasks. The cells were then incubated 4 days at 28° C., the supernatant having secreted GPIbα was harvested.

As shown Table 6 and FIG. 3, various solid-phase surfaces were first tested for the ELISA assays. Table 6 shows that the surface density of GPIbα was affected by the surface charge of the solid-phase surface; whereas FIG. 3 shows that different solid-phase surfaces coated with GPIbα having a double mutation affected VWF binding. Solid-phase surface charge appeared to affect GPIbα/VWF binding, suggesting that any solid-phase surface should first be tested for it ability (1) to provide a uniform density of GPIbα and (2) to permit VWF to bind to the GPIbα. After considering both Table 6, and FIG. 3, Immulon® 4 HBX Plates worked best and were used thereafter.

TABLE 6 Effect of Various Solid-Phase Surfaces on Concentration of GPIbα Double Mutation (G233V/M239V) (same samples on different plates). Calculated GPIbα Solid-Phase Surface Characteristic of the Surface concentration Immulon 1 Hydrophobic 635.1 Immulon 2 Hydrophobic 370.8 Immulon 4 Maximum 383.7 Polysorp Hydrophobic 321.7 Corning Medium Hydrophobic 576.8 Corning High Ionic and/or Hydrophobic 414.7 Multisorb Polar Molecules No binding Maxisorb Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic 408.5

An Immulon® 4 HBX Plate (Thermo Scientific; Waltham, Mass.) was coated with anti-GPIbα monoclonal antibody 142.16 (Blood Research Institute) at a concentration of 5 μg/ml, which was then incubated overnight at 4° C. The plate was blocked with PBS containing 1% BSA for 1 hour at room temperature. Nickel-purified S2-expressed proteins—GPIbα C65A, D235Y, M239V and ΔTM290—were diluted in PBS containing 1% BSA and incubated on the anti-GPIbα antibody-coated plate for 1 hour at 37° C. See, Celikel et al., supra.

PPP from controls or individuals having VWD was diluted 1:50 in PBS containing 1% BSA and serially diluted 1:2 to a final dilution of 1:100. Diluted PPP was added to the plate and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. ISTH Lot #3 was again used as a standard, with curve dilutions starting at 1:25 in substrate buffer, which was then serially diluted 1:2 to a final dilution of 1:1600. 2 μg/ml biotinylated AVW-1 and AVW-15 (Blood Research Institute) were added to the plate and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. Finally, streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Ltd.; West Grove, Pa.), diluted 1:5000 in substrate buffer, was added to the plate and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate (PNPP; Invitrogen), an alkaline phosphate substrate, was diluted 1:100 in substrate buffer and added to the plate. The plate was read at 405/650 nm on a plate reader. The plate was washed three times between each step with PBS containing 0.05% Tween-20.

Results: As shown in Tables 7 and 8, individuals with normal VWF showed similar ELISA results whether ristocetin was added to the assay or not. In addition, the ELISA assay resulted in VWF measurements comparable to a method used in clinical laboratories

TABLE 7 Summary of VWF: IbCo by ELISA in Plasma Samples from African Americans and Caucasians with and without VWF Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). IbCo Ristocetin Clinical Subject VWF: Ag ELISA ELISA IbCo/VWF: Ag Ris/VWF: Ag VWF: Ag VWF: RCo VWF: RCo/VWF: Ag ISTH 3 A 121.25 109.4 127.3 0.90 1.05 106 86 0.81 ctrl 5 (70%) 75.62 68.97 69.68 0.91 0.92 74.2 60.2 0.81 ctrl 6 (35%) 32.28 31.12 28.76 0.96 0.89 37.1 30.1 0.81 CCNRP 7122 A 94.56 84.6 73.34 0.89 0.78 114 71 0.62 ISTH 3 B 96.71 99.71 104.05 1.03 1.08 106 86 0.81 MK0038 33.44 1.41 14.16 0.04 0.42 47 11 0.23 XX0017 139.5 157.35 169.5 1.13 1.22 206 200 0.97 JS 0 0.5 0.99 0.00 0.00 <1 <10 0.00 ctrl 8 (30%) 23.84 26.96 23.58 1.13 0.99 31.8 25.8 0.81 ISTH 3 C 85.14 94.42 90.48 1.11 1.06 106 86 0.81 CCNRP 7122 B 59.61 60.64 55.44 1.02 0.93 114 71 0.62 AT0068 70.4 59.18 31.47 0.84 0.45 99 57 0.58

TABLE 8 Summary of VWF: IbCo by ELISA in Plasma Samples from African Americans and Caucasians with and without VWF Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Clinical IbCo Clinical Clinical Ristocetin VWF: RCo/V ELISA/BRI Subject VWF: Ag BRI VWF: Ag VWF: RCo IbCo ELISA ELISA WF: Ag VWF: Ag AA w/1380 + 1435 + 1472 HN 334 228 165 165 — 0.494 0.725 XX 278 228 225 235 222 0.809 1.029 AT 257 309 248 234 220 0.965 0.759 AT 225 159 198 149 152 0.880 0.932 AT 225 172 95 67 106 0.422 0.393 IN 215 179 104 77 73 0.484 0.429 XX 193 200 140 123 154 0.725 0.616 NO 179 178 180 171 — 1.006 0.960 AT 103 83 69 58 64 0.670 0.701 XX 85 67 74 73 57 0.871 1.095 AT 71 65 72 70 53 1.014 1.077 HN 67 77 54 54 — 0.806 0.704 AA w/1472 alone NO 259 209 224 151 213 0.865 0.723 XX 195 129 130 118 132 0.667 0.910 XX 185 143 154 143 183 0.832 1.001 XX 167 172 170 123 198 1.018 0.714 NO 166 151 175 155 — 1.054 1.025 IN 153 123 146 120 55 0.954 0.970 NO 144 141 85 92 — 0.590 0.652 DT 141 — 121 — — 0.858 — HN 139 — 98 — — 0.705 — XX 137 112 123 90 151 0.898 0.801 HN 136 136 113 106 — 0.831 0.784 XX 122 89 85 75 — 0.697 0.839 XX 116 103 89 82 81 0.767 0.793 XX 110 104 91 100 62 0.827 0.967 IN 108 107 101 86 94 0.935 0.800 AT 99 91 57 50 25 0.576 0.550 DT 98 89 85 79 85 0.867 0.885 AT 84 96 79 82 63 0.940 0.856 AA w/no SNPs NO 243 237 252 217 — 1.037 0.917 PB 234 192 211 110 83 0.902 0.576 DT 224 185 167 190 — 0.746 1.025 AT 199 178 193 177 — 0.970 0.993 NO 195 179 220 207 233 1.128 1.160 AT 164 132 151 98 96 0.921 0.743 AT 154 139 176 159 135 1.143 1.143 IN 122 76 85 68 74 0.697 0.897 PB 109 91 93 76 63 0.853 0.832 PB 86 63 88 64 52 1.023 1.025 AT 86 107 97 68 63 1.128 0.633 AT 86 57 69 60 56 0.802 1.055 XX 85 79 92 65 44 1.082 0.817 AT 82 93 94 70 49 1.146 0.750 C w/1380 + 1435 + 1472 PB 180 144 149 122 115 0.828 0.842 IN 94 91 84 68 79 0.894 0.747 C w/1472 alone XX 206 254 200 266 251 0.971 1.050 IN 192 137 144 133 126 0.750 0.973 DT 174 148 137 165 127 0.787 1.119 IN 171 106 122 94 127 0.713 0.888 PB 129 102 85 76 66 0.659 0.751 IN 111 88 99 76 78 0.892 0.861 XX 97 67 89 82 80 0.918 1.224 HN 94 103 82 82 — 0.872 0.791 IN 91 65 88 58 51 0.967 0.902 C w/no SNPs PB 289 313 256 309 292 0.886 0.988 IN 237 171 255 154 275 1.076 0.901 IN 187 165 138 124 144 0.738 0.753 XX 129 121 149 90 112 1.155 0.745 XX 124 128 169 137 127 1.363 1.073 IN 103 82 92 67 78 0.893 0.815 IN 100 71 91 68 72 0.910 0.957 XX 96 93 109 132 103 1.135 1.425 IN 96 86 110 94 87 1.146 1.086 XX 94 77 101 74 83 1.074 0.972 XX 94 100 86 88 93 0.915 0.875 DT 88 90 107 91 83 1.216 1.008 PB 88 79 78 50 54 0.886 0.628 IN 85 61 77 58 57 0.906 0.961 IN 85 74 82 65 56 0.965 0.872 PB 83 80 88 60 51 1.060 0.742 DT 82 73 79 65 63 0.963 0.891 PB 74 52 69 53 34 0.932 1.017 DT 68 57 71 55 56 1.044 0.956 XX 58 54 61 52 49 1.052 0.958 AA = African American C = Caucasian

Thus, measurement of VWF function using a VWF:IbCo FACS or ELISA assay more directly correlates with VWF function and avoids some of the pitfalls and functional variability observed with VWF:RCo assays.

The invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. However, the present invention has been presented by way of illustration and is not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will realize that the invention is intended to encompass all modifications and alternative arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A method of measuring von Willebrand factor (VWF) without using a platelet agglutination agonist, the method comprising the steps of: providing a surface comprising immobilized platelet glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) or a functional fragment thereof, wherein the immobilized GPIbα or functional fragment thereof comprises at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO: 11; contacting a sample having or suspected of having VWF with the surface, wherein the contacting is done without a platelet aggregation agonist; and detecting a complex of VWF and GPIbα.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is a host cell surface, and wherein the host cell does not natively express GPIbα.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the host cell for the host cell surface is selected from the group consisting of a Xenopus oocyte, a CHO-K1 cell, a L929 cell, a HEK-293T cell, a COS-7 cell and a S2 cell, and wherein the host cell is engineered to comprise a polynucleotide encoding GPIbα or functional fragment thereof having the at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:
 11. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the host cell surface also comprises glycoprotein Ibβ (GPIbβ) and optionally glycoprotein IX (GP-IX), wherein GPIbβ comprises SEQ ID NO:4 and GP-IX comprises SEQ ID NO:8.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface is a solid-phase surface selected from the group consisting of agarose, glass, latex and plastic.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the solid-phase surface comprises an anti-GPIbα antibody that binds the GPIbα or functional fragment thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is plasma.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two mutations are selected from the group consisting of D235Y/G233V, D235Y/M239V and G233V/M239V.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two mutations are D235Y/G233V/M239V.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a labeled anti-VWF antibody is used to detect the complex of VWF and GPIbα.
 11. A kit for measuring active von Willebrand factor (VWF), the kit comprising: recombinant platelet glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) or a functional fragment thereof, wherein the GPIbα or functional fragment thereof comprises at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO: 11; and a reagent to detect a complex of VWF and GPIbα.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the reagent is a labeled anti-VWF antibody.
 13. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a control, wherein the control is a plasma sample from an individual that does not have von Willebrand disease (VWD).
 14. The kit of claim 11, wherein the GPIbα or functional fragment thereof having the at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO: 11 is immobilized on a surface.
 15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the surface is a host cell surface, and wherein the host cell does not natively express GPIbα.
 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the host cell for the host cell surface is selected from the group consisting of a Xenopus oocyte, a CHO-K1 cell, a L929 cell, a HEK-293T cell, a COS-7 cell and a S2 cell, and wherein the host cell is engineered to comprise a polynucleotide encoding GPIbα or functional fragment thereof having the at least two mutations selected from the group consisting of G233V, D235Y and M239V relative to SEQ ID NO:
 11. 17. The kit of claim 15, wherein the host cell surface also comprises glycoprotein 1bβ (GPIbβ) and optionally glycoprotein IX (GP-IX), wherein GPIbβ comprises SEQ ID NO:4 and GP-IX comprises SEQ ID NO:8.
 18. The kit of claim 14, wherein the surface is a solid-phase surface selected from the group consisting of agarose, glass, latex and plastic.
 19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the solid-phase surface comprises an anti-GPIbα antibody that binds to GPIbα or functional fragment thereof.
 20. The kit of claim 11, wherein the at least two mutations are selected from the group consisting of D235Y/G233V, D235Y/M239V, G233V/M239V and D235Y/G233V/M239V.
 21. A method for determining von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity in a sample, wherein the sample is mixed with isolated glycoprotein lb heavy chain (GPlbα) protein to give an assay mix, comprising the steps of: a) providing an isolated GPlba protein associated with a particulate solid phase, wherein the isolated GPlbα protein comprises an amino acid sequence which, when compared to the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein (HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQGVDVKAMT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLGDE GDTDLYDYYP EEDTEGDKVR ATRTVVKFPT KAHTTPWGLF YSWSTASLDS QMPSSLHPTQ ESTKEQTTFP PRWTPNFTLH MESITFSKTP KSTTEPTPSP TTSEPVPEPA PNMTTLEPTP SPTTPEPTSE PAPSPTTPEP TPIPTIATSP TILVSATSLI TPKSTFLTTT KPVSLLESTK KTIPELDQPP KLRGVLQGHL ESSRNDPFLH PDFCCLLPLG FYVLGLFWLL FASVVLILLL SWVGHVKPQA LDSGQGAALT TATQTTHLEL QRGRQVTVPR AWLLFLRGSL PTFRSSLFLW VRPNGRVGPL VAGRRPSALS QGRGQDLLST VSIRYSGHSL), includes at least the amino acid residues 1-268 of the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein except that amino acid substitutions are found in positions 233 and 239; b) adding to the assay mix neither ristocetin nor botrocetin; and c) determining the VWF activity in the assay mix.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein no ristocetin or botrocetin equivalent substance is added to the assay mix.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the amino acid substitution in at least one of positions 233 and 239 of the GPlbα protein comprises a valine or a serine residue.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQVVDVKAVT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQSVDVKAST SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQSVDVKAVT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQVVDVKAST SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the GPlba protein is a recombinant or synthetic protein.
 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the GPlbα protein is fused at the N terminus to a compound selected from the group consisting of a homologous, human GPlbα signal sequence MPLLL LLLLL PSPLH P) and a heterologous signal sequence.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the GPlbα protein is fused at the C terminus to at least one affinity tag.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one affinity tag is selected from the group consisting of a His tag, a Flag tag, an Arg tag, a c-Myc tag and a Strep tag.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the GPlbα protein is associated with the particulate solid phase via an antibody.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the GPlbα protein is associated with the particulate solid phase via an anti-GPlbα. antibody.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the GPlbα protein is associated with the particulate solid phase via an anti-affinity tag antibody.
 35. The method of claim 21, wherein the particulate solid phase comprises latex.
 36. The method of claim 21, wherein the VWF activity is determined on the basis of GPlba-mediated agglutination of the particulate solid phase.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the GPlbα protein is associated with the particulate solid phase via a monoclonal anti-GPlbα antibody selected from the group consisting of VM16d and SZ
 2. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the GPlbα protein is fused at the C terminus to at least one Flag tag and is associated with the particulate solid phase via an anti-Flag antibody.
 39. The method of claim 36, wherein the assay mix further includes a detergent.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the detergent is selected from the group consisting of TWEEN® 20, THESIT®, TRITON® detergent and sodium dodecyl sulfate.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the assay mix contains TWEEN® 20 in a concentration of from 0.02 g/l to 20 g/l.
 42. The method of claim 21, wherein the sample is a biological fluid of human or animal origin.
 43. The method of claim 21, wherein the sample is a reaction mixture comprising a biological fluid to which isolated VWF has been added as a substrate.
 44. A test kit for carrying out the method of claim 21, comprising a reagent containing an isolated GPlbα protein associated with a particulate solid phase, wherein the isolated GPlbα protein comprises an amino acid sequence which, when compared to the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein (HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQGVDVKAMT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLGDE GDTDLYDYYP EEDTEGDKVR ATRTVVKFPT KAHTTPWGLF YSWSTASLDS QMPSSLHPTQ ESTKEQTTFP PRWTPNFTLH MESITFSKTP KSTTEPTPSP TTSEPVPEPA PNMTTLEPTP SPTTPEPTSE PAPSPTTPEP TPIPTIATSP TILVSATSLI TPKSTFLTTT KPVSLLESTK KTIPELDQPP KLRGVLQGHL ESSRNDPFLH PDFCCLLPLG FYVLGLFWLL FASVVLILLL SWVGHVKPQA LDSGQGAALT TATQTTHLEL QRGRQVTVPR AWLLFLRGSL PTFRSSLFLW VRPNGRVGPL VAGRRPSALS QGRGQDLLST VSIRYSGHSL), includes at least the amino acid residues 1-268 of the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein except that amino acid substitutions are found in positions 233 and
 239. 45. The test kit of claim 44, wherein the isolated GPlbα protein comprises the amino acid sequence of HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQXVDVKAZT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG, wherein X is any amino acid residue except glycine and wherein Z is any amino acid residue except methionine.
 46. The test kit of claim 44, wherein the reagent contains neither ristocetin, botrocetin nor ristocetin or botrocetin equivalent substances.
 47. A method for determining von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity in a sample, where the sample is mixed with isolated glycoprotein lb heavy chain (GPlbα) protein to give an assay mix, comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample; b) providing an isolated GPlbα protein associated with a particulate solid phase, wherein the isolated GPlbα protein comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQXVDVKAZT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG, wherein X is any amino acid residue except glycine and wherein Z is any amino acid residue except methionine; c) mixing the sample with the isolated GPlbα protein to provide an assay mix, wherein neither ristocetin nor botrocetin are present in the assay mix; and d) determining the VWF activity in the assay mix.
 48. A method for determining the von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving activity of a disintegrin metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type I motif, member 13 (ADAMTS-13) protease in a sample, comprising the steps of: a) mixing a sample which is suspected of containing the ADAMTS-13 protease with isolated VWF as a substrate to provide a reaction mix; b) incubating the reaction mix; and c) determining residual VWF activity in the reaction mix, wherein the VWF substrate is a high molecular weight, multimeric VWF which includes VWF monomers having at least one amino acid sequence variation resulting in said VWF substrate being broken down by ADAMTS-13 in an accelerated manner compared to a VWF substrate that is high molecular weight, multimeric VWF composed of wild-type VWF monomers.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the VWF substrate includes VWF monomers having at least one amino acid sequence variation selected from the group consisting of P1648S, E1638K, G1505R, S1506L, M1528V, R1569del, R1597W, V1607D, G1609R, G1629E, G1631D, R1597Q, V1499E, and Y1584C relative to wild-type human VWF (MIPARFAGVL LALALILPGT LCAEGTRGRS STARCSLFGS DFVNTFDGSM YSFAGYCSYL LAGGCQKRSF SIIGDFQNGK RVSLSVYLGE FFDIHLFVNG TVTQGDQRVS MPYASKGLYL ETEAGYYKLS GEAYGFVARI DGSGNFQVLL SDRYFNKTCG LCGNFNIFAE DDFMTQEGTL TSDPYDFANS WALSSGEQWC ERASPPSSSC NISSGEMQKG LWEQCQLLKS TSVFARCHPL VDPEPFVALC EKTLCECAGG LECACPALLE YARTCAQEGM VLYGWTDHSA CSPVCPAGME YRQCVSPCAR TCQSLHINEM CQERCVDGCS CPEGQLLDEG LCVESTECPC VHSGKRYPPG TSLSRDCNTC ICRNSQWICS NEECPGECLV TGQSHFKSFD NRYFTFSGIC QYLLARDCQD HSFSIVIETV QCADDRDAVC TRSVTVRLPG LHNSLVKLKH GAGVAMDGQD IQLPLLKGDL RIQHTVTASV RLSYGEDLQM DWDGRGRLLV KLSPVYAGKT CGLCGNYNGN QGDDFLTPSG LAEPRVEDFG NAWKLHGDCQ DLQKQHSDPC ALNPRMTRFS EEACAVLTSP TFEACHRAVS PLPYLRNCRY DVCSCSDGRE CLCGALASYA AACAGRGVRV AWREPGRCEL NCPKGQVYLQ CGTPCNLTCR SLSYPDEECN EACLEGCFCP PGLYMDERGD CVPKAQCPCY YDGEIFQPED IFSDHHTMCY CEDGFMHCTM SGVPGSLLPD AVLSSPLSHR SKRSLSCRPP MVKLVCPADN LRAEGLECTK TCQNYDLECM SMGCVSGCLC PPGMVRHENR CVALERCPCF HQGKEYAPGE TVKIGCNTCV CRDRKWNCTD HVCDATCSTI GMAHYLTFDG LKYLFPGECQ YVLVQDYCGS NPGTFRILVG NKGCSHPSVK CKKRVTILVE GGEIELFDGE VNVKRPMKDE THFEVVESGR YIILLLGKAL SVVWDRHLSI SVVLKQTYQE KVCGLCGNFD GIQNNDLTSS NLQVEEDPVD FGNSWKVSSQ CADTRKVPLD SSPATCHNNI MKQTMVDSSC RILTSDVFQD CNKLVDPEPY LDVCIYDTCS CESIGDCACF CDTIAAYAHV CAQHGKVVTW RTATLCPQSC EERNLRENGY ECEWRYNSCA PACQVTCQHP EPLACPVQCV EGCHAHCPPG KILDELLQTC VDPEDCPVCE VAGRRFASGK KVTLNPSDPE HCQICHCDVV NLTCEACQEP GGLVVPPTDA PVSPTTLYVE DISEPPLHDF YCSRLLDLVF LLDGSSRLSE AEFEVLKAFV VDMMERLRIS QKWVRVAVVE YHDGSHAYIG LKDRKRPSEL RRIASQVKYA GSQVASTSEV LKYTLFQIFS KIDRPEASRI ALLLMASQEP QRMSRNFVRY VQGLKKKKVI VIPVGIGPHA NLKQIRLIEK QAPENKAFVL SSVDELEQQR DEIVSYLCDL APEAPPPTLP PHMAQVTVGP GLLGVSTLGP KRNSMVLDVA FVLEGSDKIG EADFNRSKEF MEEVIQRMDV GQDSIHVTVL QYSYMVTVEY PFSEAQSKGD ILQRVREIRY QGGNRTNTGL ALRYLSDHSF LVSQGDREQA PNLVYMVTGN PASDEIKRLP GDIQVVPIGV GPNANVQELE RIGWPNAPIL IQDFETLPRE APDLVLQRCC SGEGLQIPTL SPAPDCSQPL DVILLLDGSS SFPASYFDEM KSFAKAFISK ANIGPRLTQV SVLQYGSITT IDVPWNVVPE KAHLLSLVDV MQREGGPSQI GDALGFAVRY LTSEMHGARP GASKAVVILV TDVSVDSVDA AADAARSNRV TVFPIGIGDR YDAAQLRILA GPAGDSNVVK LQRIEDLPTM VTLGNSFLHK LCSGFVRICM DEDGNEKRPG DVWTLPDQCH TVTCQPDGQT LLKSHRVNCD RGLRPSCPNS QSPVKVEETC GCRWTCPCVC TGSSTRHIVT FDGQNFKLTG SCSYVLFQNK EQDLEVILHN GACSPGARQG CMKSIEVKHS ALSVELHSDM EVTVNGRLVS VPYVGGNMEV NVYGAIMHEV RFNHLGHIFT FTPQNNEFQL QLSPKTFASK TYGLCGICDE NGANDFMLRD GTVTTDWKTL VQEWTVQRPG QTCQPILEEQ CLVPDSSHCQ VLLLPLFAEC HKVLAPATFY AICQQDSCHQ EQVCEVIASY AHLCRTNGVC VDWRTPDFCA MSCPPSLVYN HCEHGCPRHC DGNVSSCGDH PSEGCFCPPD KVMLEGSCVP EEACTQCIGE DGVQHQFLEA WVPDHQPCQI CTCLSGRKVN CTTQPCPTAK APTCGLCEVA RLRQNADQCC PEYECVCDPV SCDLPPVPHC ERGLQPTLTN PGECRPNFTC ACRKEECKRV SPPSCPPHRL PTLRKTQCCD EYECACNCVN STVSCPLGYL ASTATNDCGC TTTTCLPDKV CVHRSTIYPV GQFWEEGCDV CTCTDMEDAV MGLRVAQCSQ KPCEDSCRSG FTYVLHEGEC CGRCLPSACE VVTGSPRGDS QSSWKSVGSQ WASPENPCLI NECVRVKEEV FIQQRNVSCP QLEVPVCPSG FQLSCKTSAC CPSCRCERME ACMLNGTVIG PGKTVMIDVC TTCRCMVQVG VISGFKLECR KTTCNPCPLG YKEENNTGEC CGRCLPTACT IQLRGGQIMT LKRDETLQDG CDTHFCKVNE RGEYFWEKRV TGCPPFDEHK CLAEGGKIMK IPGTCCDTCE EPECNDITAR LQYVKVGSCK SEVEVDIHYC QGKCASKAMY SIDINDVQDQ CSCCSPTRTE PMQVALHCTN GSVVYHEVLN AMECKCSPRK CSK).
 50. The method of claim 48, the VWF substrate having at least one amino acid sequence variation is produced recombinantly.
 51. The method of claim 48, wherein the VWF substrate having at least one amino acid sequence variation is isolated from donor plasmas of heterozygous or homozygous carriers of a suitable VWF amino acid sequence variation.
 52. The method of claim 48, wherein step (a) further comprises mixing the sample with heparin.
 53. The method of claim 48, wherein step (a) further comprises mixing the sample with isolated native GPlbα protein and/or recombinant wild-type GPlbα protein and ristocetin or botrocetin.
 54. The method of claim 48, wherein step (a) further comprises mixing the sample with recombinant or synthetic GPlbα protein comprising an amino acid sequence which, when compared to the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein (HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQGVDVKAMT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLGDE GDTDLYDYYP EEDTEGDKVR ATRTVVKFPT KAHTTPWGLF YSWSTASLDS QMPSSLHPTQ ESTKEQTTFP PRWTPNFTLH MESITFSKTP KSTTEPTPSP TTSEPVPEPA PNMTTLEPTP SPTTPEPTSE PAPSPTTPEP TPIPTIATSP TILVSATSLI TPKSTFLTTT KPVSLLESTK KTIPELDQPP KLRGVLQGHL ESSRNDPFLH PDFCCLLPLG FYVLGLFWLL FASVVLILLL SWVGHVKPQA LDSGQGAALT TATQTTHLEL QRGRQVTVPR AWLLFLRGSL PTFRSSLFLW VRPNGRVGPL VAGRRPSALS QGRGQDLLST VSIRYSGHSL), includes at least the amino acid residues 1-268 of the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein except that amino acid substitutions are found in positions 233 and
 239. 55. The method of claim 54, wherein step (a) further comprises mixing the sample with recombinant or synthetic GPlbα protein comprising the amino acid sequence of HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQXVDVKAZT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG, wherein X is any amino acid residue except glycine and wherein Z is any amino acid residue except methionine.
 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the amino acid substitution in position 233 and/or position 239 of the GPlbα protein comprises a valine or a serine residue.
 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQVVDVKAVT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 58. The method of claim 56, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQSVDVKAST SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 59. The method of claim 56, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQSVDVKAVT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 60. The method of claim 56, wherein the GPlbα protein is comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQVVDVKAST SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG.
 61. The method of claim 48, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of determining the remaining VWF activity in the reaction mix by measuring the ristocetin cofactor activity.
 62. The method of claim 48, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of determining the remaining VWF activity in the reaction mix by the method of claim
 21. 63. A method for determining VWF activity in a competitive assay, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample which is suspected of containing VWF; b) providing particle-associated anti-GPlbα antibody in a reaction mix; c) adding particle-associated VWF to the reaction mix; d) adding the sample to the reaction mix; e) adding GPlbα protein comprising an amino acid sequence which, when compared to the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein (HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQGVDVKAMT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLGDE GDTDLYDYYP EEDTEGDKVR ATRTVVKFPT KAHTTPWGLF YSWSTASLDS QMPSSLHPTQ ESTKEQTTFP PRWTPNFTLH MESITFSKTP KSTTEPTPSP TTSEPVPEPA PNMTTLEPTP SPTTPEPTSE PAPSPTTPEP TPIPTIATSP TILVSATSLI TPKSTFLTTT KPVSLLESTK KTIPELDQPP KLRGVLQGHL ESSRNDPFLH PDFCCLLPLG FYVLGLFWLL FASVVLILLL SWVGHVKPQA LDSGQGAALT TATQTTHLEL QRGRQVTVPR AWLLFLRGSL PTFRSSLFLW VRPNGRVGPL VAGRRPSALS QGRGQDLLST VSIRYSGHSL), includes at least amino acid residues 1-268 of the wild-type sequence of human GPlbα protein except that amino acid substitutions are found in positions 233 and 239 to the reaction mix and mixing same in the absence of ristocetin and botrocetin, wherein agglutination occurs in the absence of VWF; and f) determining that VWF is present in the sample if the agglutination reaction is inhibited.
 64. The method of claim 63, wherein the inhibition of the agglutination reaction correlates with the amount or activity of the VWF present in the sample.
 65. The method of claim 63, wherein the GPlbα protein comprises HPICEVSKVA SHLEVNCDKR NLTALPPDLP KDTTILHLSE NLLYTFSLAT LMPYTRLTQL NLDRCELTKL QVDGTLPVLG TLDLSHNQLQ SLPLLGQTLP ALTVLDVSFN RLTSLPLGAL RGLGELQELY LKGNELKTLP PGLLTPTPKL EKLSLANNNL TELPAGLLNG LENLDTLLLQ ENSLYTIPKG FFGSHLLPFA FLHGNPWLCN CEILYFRRWL QDNAENVYVW KQXVDVKAZT SNVASVQCDN SDKFPVYKYP GKGCPTLG, wherein X is any amino acid residue except glycine and wherein Z is any amino acid residue except methionine. 